What are moral guidelines or laws by which we should live our lives called?

The term that best refers to moral guidelines or laws by which we should live our lives is "ethical issues." This concept encompasses the principles and values that guide our behavior and decision-making in various contexts, including personal, social, and professional situations. Ethical issues often involve questions of right and wrong, fairness, justice, and responsibility, and they play a crucial role in shaping our conduct and interactions with others.

In the context of community and family studies, understanding ethical issues is vital, as they influence how individuals and groups address conflicts, make choices, and support one another within families and communities. Ethical decision-making helps to foster respect, integrity, and commitment to doing what is considered morally right.

The other choices, while related to the broader context of societal norms and behaviors, do not specifically denote the moral compass that ethical issues represent. Legal issues pertain to laws enforced by the government, regulations are rules set in place by authorities to control specific actions, and moral standards refer to personal beliefs about right and wrong, which are closely related but not necessarily framed within the context of broader ethical considerations.